Early Governors' Papers

Knoxville 3 March 1797

Gentlemen

Yours of the 15th ult. Ihad the pleasure to receive this day, and am Glad to find but ^such a military spirit is prevailing in Rogersville;

Ihave already commissioned the officers of several companies of Volunteer cavalry, and intend to indulging each County with simular appointments on their application for such - The Commissions are only temporary until the end of the next ses^o [session] of our Assembly, which body Iexpect will at the formation of a militia Law Ihope continue the appointments and form them to the other ^a part of the Cavalry of the State

It is recommended that none be suffered to engage, but such as are persons of reputation, and good deportment and a readiness to equip themselves in a handsome military uniform ^with arms and accoutrements suitable to the Occasion, the sooner the better, for it is unknown how soon they may be wanted.

Ihave the honor to

Your officers must be [dated?] by the company, in a simular manner to the other elections for a Cavalry is conducted, and on the certificatecommissions

Rogersville 15th Feb^y 1797

Governor Sevier Please y^r Excellency

We the Inhabitants of Rogersville after taking a Review of the organization of the Militia of this County, and more particularly the light Horse thereof, find them not equipt as might be expected from Independent people - We from a feeling for our Country and motives pure, have resolved to form ourselves into a Volunteer Troop (should it meet your approbation) to be fully equiped and Subjected to your Shortest orders - your opinion will be expected as soon as you can make it convenient by

Y^r M^o Ob S^t

Alexander Nelson John Mitchell James Dardis Edw Sherman

Rogersville 19 March 1800

Honored Sir

Having at the last Session of the General Assembly for this State been appointed a Justice of the Peace for Hawkins County; a thing unsolicited and unexpected by me; and finding that the nature of my Occupation is such, that I cannot find sufficient Leasure [sic] to attend to the business of the County, and do myself Justice; and also finding that I cannot Discharge the Duties of that Office with that precision that the nature of it requires; I do hereby Resign the same, and pray that you may accept this as my Resignation

I am with Esteem Honored Sir Yr Mo Ob. St Edmund Sherman

Rogersville Oct^r 3rd 1819

D^r Sir

At the Circuit Court for Sullivan County a man by the name of Lowe or Low was convicted of Petty Larceny for Stealing [6 1/2 lb?] of home made Sugar [1/2 lb] loaf Sugar 1 Shawl & 1[?] of Coffee, he was found guilty on full and satisfactory Proof and I sentenced him to Receive twenty Lashes, ^the execution of which Sentence was postponed until the will of the Executive cou'd be known -

It appeared that the Defendant Lowe was an Industrious man and it did not appear that any outrage had before that time been committed by him, his connextions [sic] are respectable as represented to me by Gentlemen in whom full confidence ought to be placed in particular he has an amiable woman for his wife and his father in law has always been deemed one of the most upright men in that part of the Country

Yor excellency will no doubt observe that this unfortunate man will have to undergo an imprisonment for more than three weeks, before he can get your answer; a circumstance which w.^d not have taken place had the sentence been put into immediate

Rogersville T 4^th Oct

18^1/2

His Excellency Joseph M^cMinn Murphreesborough Tennessee